Antibiotic drugs are commonly used in veterinary medicine to treat infectious diseases that are caused by bacteria and certain other microorganisms. There are many different classes of antibiotics available for use in animals, including penicillins, cephalosporin
An important aspect of medical treatment is the effect the treatment will have on the fetus or newborn when given to a pregnant or lactating animal. Many drugs are capable of crossing the placenta and affecting the fetus. Certain antibiotic drugs are toxic to a f
A wide range of dosage formulations and delivery systems has been developed to provide for the care and welfare of animals. Using the correct dosage is very important in terms of effectiveness and safety. Drug treatment and delivery strategies can be complicated
If your pet has been diagnosed with a condition or disease that can be managed or cured, your veterinarian will discuss treatment options. He or she will recommend drugs that are necessary, safe, and effective for both the individual animal and the specific disor
The zoonoses table in the Public Health section of the professional version of the MSD Veterinary Manual lists the most important zoonoses that have been documented. Many of these are quite rare and only occ
There are several things that can be done to minimize your risk for acquiring a zoonotic disease from animals. First, make sure your pet receives all of the recommended vaccinations for its species. This will keep your pet from becoming infected with certain dangerous diseases and spreading them to other pets or humans. Second, if yo
Diseases passed between animals and people (called zoonotic diseases or zoonoses) present an ongoing public health concern. Many organisms (such as bacteria and viruses) that infect animals can also cause disease in people. These
The immune system protects the body against “foreign invaders” such as bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause disease. Certain proteins and other molecules of these invaders are known as antigens, and the immune-system defenses of the body respond to antigens by producing antibodies (
Antineoplastic (antitumor) chemotherapy is often used to treat dogs and cats, and it is routinely used for selected tumors in horses. Antineoplastic drugs can be grouped into general categories, based on their biochemical method of action: alkylating agents, anti